This film is a recording of the social and environmental devastations behind China’s economic miracle.Under the sun, the heavenly beauty of grasslands will soon be covered by the raging dust of mines. Facing the ashes and noises caused by heavy mining, the herdsmen have no choice but to leave as the meadow areas dwindle. In the moonlight, iron mines are brightly lit throughout the night. Workers who operate the drilling machines must stay awake. The fight is tortuous, against the machine and against themselves. Meanwhile, coal miners are busy filling trucks with coals. Wearing a coal-dust mask, they become ghostlike creatures. An endless line of trucks will transport all the coals and iron ores to the iron works. There traps another crowd of souls, being baked in hell. In the hospital, time hangs heavy on miners' hands. After decades of breathing coal dust, death is just around the corner. They are living the reality of purgatory, but there will be no paradise.

Discussants:

Lili Chin, Assistant Professor of Visual Arts and Film, FAV, RISD

Lauren Richter, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, HPPS, RISD

Sponsored by the Liberal Arts Division, Departments of HPSS and FAV, and the Cho Fund